CVE-2014-4174 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE
wiretap/libpcap.c in the libpcap file parser in Wireshark 1.10.x before 1.10.4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) via a crafted packet-trace file that includes a large packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4174 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Wireshark's libpcap file parser component. This issue affects Wireshark versions 1.10.x prior to 1.10.4, where the wiretap/libpcap.c module fails to properly validate packet trace file structures when processing large packet data. The flaw stems from insufficient bounds checking and memory allocation handling during the parsing of crafted packet-trace files that contain oversized packet data structures. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by creating malicious packet trace files with malformed large packets that trigger buffer overflows or heap corruption during the parsing process, leading to unpredictable application behavior.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of packet size parameters within the libpcap file format parser. When Wireshark attempts to read and process a crafted packet-trace file, the parser calculates memory allocation based on the reported packet size without adequate validation of the actual data boundaries. This allows an attacker to manipulate the packet size field in the trace file to specify an excessively large value, causing the application to allocate insufficient memory or attempt to process data beyond allocated buffers. The vulnerability specifically manifests as a heap-based buffer overflow condition that can be leveraged for remote code execution or denial of service attacks, depending on the attacker's objectives and the target system configuration.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4174 extends beyond simple application crashes to potentially enable remote code execution in vulnerable environments. An attacker who can convince a victim to open a malicious packet trace file through Wireshark's file parsing functionality can achieve arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the Wireshark process. This represents a significant threat to network security analysts and forensic investigators who regularly analyze packet captures from potentially compromised networks. The vulnerability creates a persistent attack surface where even benign-looking packet trace files could contain malicious payloads that trigger the exploit when opened within Wireshark. The memory corruption can manifest as stack overflows, heap corruption, or use-after-free conditions that may result in application crashes or provide attackers with opportunities to execute malicious code.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4174 primarily focus on immediate version upgrades to Wireshark 1.10.4 or later releases that contain the necessary patches. Network security teams should implement strict file validation policies that prevent automatic opening of untrusted packet trace files, particularly those received from external sources or obtained through web browsing activities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 and CWE-125 categories related to buffer overflow conditions and improper access to memory locations. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving execution through file parsing and privilege escalation through application exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious packet data, while maintaining current threat intelligence feeds to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.